Bailey, Raymond Wilfred

Killed in Flying Accident 1943-11-15

Male Head

Birth Date: 1920

Born:

Son of William and Rachel Bailey

Home:

Enlistment:

Enlistment Date: Unknown

Service

RAF

Unit

1 OTU- Operational Training Unit

Base

RCAF Stn. Bagotville, Quebec

Rank

Sergeant

Position

Sergeant

Service Numbers

1151364

First Burial
Google MapChicoutimi Roman Catholic Cemetery, St Francois Xavier, Quebec, Canada
1 OTU, Bagotville, Quebec.

Commonwealth War Graves Commission

www.findagrave.com

Library and Archives Canada Service Files (may not exist)

This incident involved multiple aircraft:

  1. Sea Hurricane Mk. XIIA Serial: BW874

All the above aircraft in the above list are referenced in this report.

Findagrave.com

Sea Hurricane BW874

Male Head

Sergeant Bailey, Raymond Wilfred (RAF)

Killed in Flying Accident
1943-November-15
Chicoutimi Roman Catholic Cemetery, St Francois Xavier, Quebec, Canada

Hawker Sea Hurricane

Source: Harold A Skaarup Web Page (Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4982739)
Hawker Sea Hurricane Mk. XIIA (Serial No. BW850), coded BV-T, No. 126 (Fighter) Squadron, RCAF, patrolling from its base at Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, 9 Aug 1942. This Hurricane has been converted to the Mk. XIIA version by Canadian Car and Foundry (CCF). This aircraft retains its eight-gun wing and the tail hook.
60f9983cb349435ca5985742_Hawker-Hurricane--RCAF-No--126-Sqn--BV-code---9-Aug-1942--MIKAN-No--4982739.jpg image not found

While the Sea Hurricane never served in the Royal Canadian Navy, it was, ironically, operated by the Royal Canadian Air Force.  In late 1941, the RCAF found itself without any frontline fighters, having sent its earlier Hawker Hurricanes off to the UK along with 1 (Fighter) Squadron, RCAF, and was having a hard time procuring additional fighters to meet its needs.

For reasons that are still slightly unclear, the RCAF received 50 Sea Hurricanes in 1942.  It is assumed that these aircraft, built in Thunder Bay, Ontario by Canadian Car and Foundry, were to be used as part of the Fleet Air Arm (FAA) Merchant Ship Fighting Unit (MSFU) based in Canada, but were diverted to the RCAF.  These Sea Hurricanes were basically a Hurricane Mk. I with a tail-hook, catapult spools, a short blunt de Havilland spinner, and an eight gun wing.  Harold A Skaarup Web Page

General Harold A Skaarup Web Page

Wikipedia Wikipedia Hawker Hurricane variants

1 OTU (1 Operational Training Unit)

The Operational Training Unit (OTU) was the last stop for aircrew trainees. They spent 8 to 14 weeks learning to fly operational aircraft (Hawker Hurricane or Fairey Swordfish, e.g.). The instructors had experience in actual operations, and often were posted to OTUs after their operational tour.

Canada Primary Source RCAF.info - RCAF Station Bagotville QC

Project 44 BCATP

General Project 44 BCATP

YouTube YouTube - Valour Canada Aerodrome of Democracy

Sea Hurricane BW874

Sea Hurricane Mk. XIIA BW874

Stored at Dartmouth, as reserve aircraft for the Merchant Ship Fighter Unit of the RAF. Back to Canada Car & Foundry at Fort William on 23 June 1943, for conversion to Mk. XIIA. Returned to Eastern Air Command on 20 September 1943. To No. 1 (F) Operational Training Unit at RCAF Station Bagotville, Quebec. Went missing on training flight 15 November 1943, one of four aircraft that became lost in a snow storm, other three returned to base. Sgt. R.W. Bailey killed. Wreckage located in December 1972.

1942-01-08 Taken on Strength No. 118 (F) Squadron 2019-08-20
1943-November-15 Accident: 1 Operational Training Unit Loc: Unknown Names: Bailey
1944-02-28 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20